Blind Android Users Podcast

EPISODE 236 ANDROID 16 RELEASE AND MOREWelcome to Episode 236.This week has been busy for Google as Android 16 Public release drops including the “Pixel Feature-drop” and the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 ANNOUNCEMENTSWe knew that at some point, the ElevenLabs Reader would become a subscription-based access, but we didn’t think it was coming this soon.The usage of this app requires subscription.ANDROID BASICSBesides Google dropping Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, Samsung wasn’t sitting around, thus, One UI 8 Beta 2 for the S25-Series of phones equally dropped.SpotlightIn the spotlight is the Android 16 Public release and the “Pixel-feature-drop.”App of the weekFor this week’s “App of the week,” our focus is on the “1Cross” Bible app.ANDROID JOURNEY WITH mckensie ParkerMckensie Parker joins us to talk about her Android Journey story.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 235, a visit with the developers of TableExAndroid basicsWe discuss the release of Android 16 QPR Beta 1.1.SpotlightWe are joined by the developers of TableEx – an app designed so that blind and visually impaired people can play classic board and card games.App of the weekWarren brings us a demonstration of a new bible app, Random Scripture Verse Picker.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 234, Seeing Assistant GoAndroid basicsWe discuss what’s new in the recently launched Samsung One UI 8 Beta available on the S25 series of phones.  Enroll via the Samsung Members app.SpotlightWe are joined for a conversation by the developers of Seeing Assistant GO – an app we recently discussed when we surveyed the state of GPS apps.Talkback highlightsJohn demonstrates the new table navigation mode in Talkback 16.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 233, Google I/O 2025Android16 QPR1Beta1Google preceded the public release of Android16 with “Android16QPR1Beta1.”SpotlightThis week, the focus is on Google I/O 2025 – Google’s annual developer conference which took place on 20 and 21 May.  The crew discuss the highlights, but it’s worth reading the 100 I/O announcements in full.App of the weekFocusing on one of the I/O announcements, Warren demonstrates the Google Notebook LM app.Talkback highlightsJohn demonstrates the new screen description feature in Talkback 16.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 232, Talkback 16Android basicsThis week, we discuss the release of Talkback 16.SpotlightIt’s a busy section this week.  We talk about various phones including the Samsung S25 Edge, The Sony Xperia 1 VII and the latest Android 16 Beta.Talkback highlightsJohn shows us how to ask follow up questions when you have a Talkback image description – a new feature of Talkback 16.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 231, Screen readers for AndroidAndroid basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  However, we have never dedicated a full segment to screen readers though we have discussed the differences in passing, so we are remedying that now.  This week, we look at Talkback available as part of Google’s Android Accessibility Suite, Jieshuo/Commentary and Prudence.Check out this comparison article between TalkBack and Jieshuo on Accessible Android.SpotlightThis week, we touch on some of the fixes in the May security patch.App of the weekWarren demonstrates the text to speech app, TTS Router.Tip of the weekJohn shows us how to handle different aspects of the Notifications and Quick Settings panels in Samsung One UI 7.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 230, GPS appsAndroid basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of GPS apps in 2025.  Apps discussed include Google Maps, Lazarillo Accessible GPS, Seeing Assistant Move and the simpler Seeing Assistant Go, Goodmaps Outdoors and Waymap (disclaimer: this one hasn’t been tested)!UnboxingJoe Hodge unboxes his new tablet, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.CommentaryKarene brings us the next episode in our Jieshuo series, looking at its ability to take full and partial screen shots, as well as a direct touch and hold function.App of the weekWarren demonstrates the Text to Speech engine, Speecx.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 229, Audio book appsAndroid basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of audio book apps in 2025.  We discuss various apps including  Audible, Smart AudioBook Player, Listen Audiobook Player, mAbook and  LibriVoxSpotlightWe talk about the new phones from Motorola.My Android JourneyKirt Manwaring joins us to tell his Android journey story.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.

Episode 228, a look at browsers and Android 16 Beta 4AnnouncementsThe developer of the app  Magnifier which John demonstrated a few weeks ago has very generously donated a number of codes which will remove ads from the app.  Get in touch if you’d like one.Android basicsIn recent episodes we have been revisiting app categories we looked at in the early days of the podcast.  This week, we look at the state of browsers in 2025.  We discuss Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Brave, Samsung Internet Browser, Microsoft Edge and Firefox.SpotlightIt’s a busy Spotlight section this week.  First, we discuss the changes in Android 16 Beta 4.  Next, we talk about Samsung resuming the roll-out Of OneUI 7.  Finally, we look at the Honor Power, notable for its massive battery.CommentaryIn keeping with the theme of this week’s episode, Karene demonstrates the web browser built into Jieshuo.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797.